Remember respiratory tract infections are more likely if you smoke. As well as introducing cancer causing agents into your body, smoking damages the body's own mechanism for cleaning your lungs of inhaled particles.

Back Pain

Back pain is very common and will affect most people at some point in there lives. The majority of cases in the younger population are described as " mechanical back pain " and " degenerative back disease " in the older age group. Whilst we cannot definitively cure these complaints there are things you can do to help reduce your symptoms. See Back Pain Prevention

Deciding when its serious enough to see your GP is difficult, and if you are uncertain ask for a telephone consultation first.

As a general rule the following symptoms may indicate a serious underlying cause for which we would recommend you contact the surgery for a telephone consultation in the first instance:

a high temperature (fever)

associated with unexplained weight loss

a swelling or a deformity in your back

it’s constant and doesn't ease after lying down

pain in your chest

a loss of bladder or bowel control

an inability to pass urine

numbness around your genitals, buttocks or back passage

it's worse at night

it started after an accident, such as after a car accident

In addition it may be worth reading through some of this trusted information from NHS Choices available at NHS advice on Back Pain

Acute Diarrhoea in Children

Most cases of acute ( short lived ) diarrhoea in children arise as the result of a viral infection of the bowel known as viral gastroenteritis.It is usually self limiting and will pass within a week.

The biggest risk to your child, especially if accompanied by vomiting, is dehydration so tackling this is very important.

The following link takes you to some trusted information that's worth reading through Diarrhoea in Children.

Please seek help urgently if your child exhibits the following signs:

very few wet nappies or significant reduction in passing urine

sunken eyes, dry mouth and lips

mottled skin

cold hands and feet

drowsiness

fast shallow breathing

persistent fever

REMEMBER severe dehydration is life threatening.

The following App is available free on both Android and Apple platforms and is a tool you may find useful in managing the care of your child and in deciding whether you need to seek support from health care professionals - check out the " Handi Paediatric" App.

Acute Diarrhoea in Adults

Acute diarrhoea in adults is usually a self limiting illness cause by an infection of the bowel which in most cases is viral and as such antibiotics will not make any difference to the course of the illness. Most bouts stop within 2-4 days but some may last longer.

Dehydration is the main risk especially if you have vomiting as well so ensuring good fluid intake is essential. In addition you should try and eat as normally as possible.

Severe dehydration has the following signs and should be treated as medical emergency:

This rash is quite common and presents usually in association with viral colds.It is self limiting, sometimes quite itchy and usually passes within 2-12 weeks. An initial patch called "herald patch" normal appears first before the rash spreads across the whole torso.

This is a viral illness that is usually self limiting. More information can be found at NHS Choices

Shingles

Shingles is a painful rash that represents a recurrence of chickenpox. After chickenpox as a child the virus can lie dormant in the spine and at times later in ones life the virus can spread out along a nerve causing burning and pain first followed by a blistering rash on one side of the body often in a line along which the nerve is running.

Your local pharmacy can provide treatment including antibiotic eye drops and a list of those engaged in this scheme is available here Pharmacy First Providers in Devon

Earache - Infections, Injury and Wax

Earache is a common presentation in general practice and arises most commonly as a result of infection and trauma.

Infection can occur in the tube running down from your ear to the ear drum ( known as Otitis Externa ) or behind the ear drum itself ( known as Otitis Media ).

In addition a blow to the ear can cause the ear drum to rupture ( known as a perforated ear drum ).

Ear wax is also very common and in itself if a normal finding. However it can cause deafness, discomfort and dizziness.

Please read this LEAFLET for more information on what to do and how to manage these problems yourself.

Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections represent infections that have got into the urinary system from outside the body. Lower urinary tract infections are infections involving the bladder primarily (cystitis) and are less serious than upper urinary tract infections that occur when the infection reaches the kidneys (pyelonephritis).

They are a common reason for individuals to request an appointment with their GP.

However a significant number of these infections can be managed without requesting a face to face GP appointments.

If you think you have a urinary infection our reception staff will provide you with a questionnaire and where appropriate a sterile urine bottle. Or simply download it from the links below.

By using the questionnaire you can help us provide you with the right care at the right time and in so doing we can make better use of our limited clinical capacity.

Children under 14, pregnant women and individuals who have catheters in place require additional care and the reception staff will facilitate this for you.